Whiz Kid: Taloni

We want to hear about amazing children and teens, and select one each week as the Patch Whiz Kid.  Submit your nomination in our comment box below or e-mail the information to Nathan.Duke@patch,com. Be sure to include all of the information you see below, and a photo. Our next honoree is Taloni.

·  Name: Taloni

·  Age: 3

·  Accomplishment: Grand Marshal for the 7^thAnnual Walk for St. Mary’s Kids

·  Kid's Key to Awesomeness: How many Parade Grand Marshals do you know that are only 3 years old? Taloni was chosen as one of the 11 St. Mary’s Kids to be Grand Marshals in the 7^th Annual Walk for St. Mary’s Kids that took place in late May at Belmont Park because of her determination to overcome her medical challenges.

The happy girl with a perpetual smile on her face loves helping with “clean up time.” Her positive attitude stands strong despite the mountain of physical and social challenges she must face due to her medical condition.

She receives intensive rehabilitation and specialized medical care at St. Mary’s Healthcare System for Children in Bayside. With the help of her doctors, nurses and therapists, Taloni is slowly meeting her milestones. She is now able to effectively verbalize and communicate with staff members, something she was unable to do before, and has begun to develop friendships with her preschool peers.